Background
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced UNV volunteers, throughout the world. UNV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes volunteerism in its diversity as well as the values that sustain it: free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity.
Every 3 years UNV produces a global flagship publication on volunteerism, The State of the World’s Volunteerism Report (SWVR). The report production is managed in the Volunteer Knowledge and Innovation Section (VKIS). This consultancy will be managed by the Research Specialist in VKIS as part of the overall SWVR project.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the VKIS policy specialist, and working closely with the Senior writer/researcher of the SWVR 2018 and other relevant staff and consultants, the consultant(s) will produce a research and policy paper of apprx 10,000 words (excluding references) that will both inform the main SWVR report, and be published separately within the SWVR 2018 portfolio.
Focus of the research topic
Measuring the scale and scope of volunteering worldwide through official statistical sources remains challenging. In terms of official statistics from national governments, only a limited number of countries have implemented the ILO manual on the measurement of volunteering which seeks to standardize volunteering measurement and which would most effectively facilitate aggregation and comparative analysis. Other government-led surveys focus on organizational volunteering, thereby missing the surely greater amount of volunteering activity worldwide which is carried out directly and informally between individuals and groups. And such surveys are far more easily found in the most developed economies and groups (such as OECD), leaving large gaps in terms of understanding volunteering behaviours across a range of contexts.
A number of other independent approaches and models have also been developed on the measurement of volunteering, including surveys such as the Gallup World Poll, regional barometers, Civicus Civil Society Index and models using aggregate methods (combination of national statistical data from omnibus surveys, and specially-commissioned surveys) to provide estimates in terms of global volunteering. For example, the Johns Hopkins Comparative Non-profit project produced data in 2011 and in 2016, the latter which additionally was able to provide estimates on the scope and proportion of informal volunteering worldwide, as well as to look in more detail at regional variations in volunteering activity.
For previous State of the World’s volunteerism reports, a number of background papers were commissioned to assess the magnitude of volunteering worldwide using existing data. This included comparative analysis of existing data sources’ strengths and weaknesses, and recommendations for future measurement statistics, including indices. Furthermore, approaches to estimating the economic value of volunteering were developed and evaluated in 2011.
UNV is now commissioning a refresh of global estimates to produce the latest data for the SWVR 2018 report. The data should be accompanied by analysis of the strength of the model and process, and areas and opportunities to further develop and refine this work going forward.
Statistics provided should include but not limited to the following:
• Estimated number of volunteers worldwide (disaggregated by sex, age)
• Estimated number of formal vs informal volunteers worldwide (or indirect vs direct volunteers)
• Breakdown estimates per country, including proportion 15+ and 18+ volunteering in last week/month/12 months
• Regional variations % population volunteering and absolute numbers of volunteers
• Country variations % population volunteering based on wealth/country context
• Analysis of trends and patterns in terms of the above (numbers, gender, age, formal/informal and regional volunteering patterns) in comparison to 2011 data, for example
• Estimates to the economic value of volunteering globally
• Estimates and information on trust in volunteers globally
This paper will provide the best working summary of the foregoing that is feasible at this point, while fully recognising that the data found may be spotty and incomplete. Estimation and extrapolation methods should be used to provide data on magnitudes nationally and globally.
Indicative structure of the paper to be developed
1. Background and introduction to key issues and terms.
2. Key data for 2018 – outlining use of new figures on earlier data.
3. Trends, highlights, regional and thematic.
4. Implications and recommendations for research, practice, and policy on volunteerism and volunteerism measurement.
5. Include a full reference list (bibliography) of documents cited in the text, using Author-Date reference format (see reference citation guidelines in the annex).
Deliverable Schedule
1 Outline of paper approach, structure, key figures and data to be produced and workplan 15 July 2017
2 First draft of report completed and submitted for review 31st August 2017
3 Final draft of report completed and submitted 30th September 2017
4 Volunteer infrastructure ‘maps’ (infographic visualisations) submitted 30th September 2017
Competencies
Established and globally-recognised expertise on volunteerism measurement.
• Track record of publication on global volunteerism measurement.
• Access to relevant data sources as required to fulfil the deliverables.
• Research & writing skills, such as demonstrated through having successfully formulated background papers, campaign materials and case studies.
• Ability to work independently.
Required Skills and Experience
Education; Advanced university degree in social sciences including quantitative research element
Experience;
• At least 7 years relevant work experience.
• Previous published materials/research on volunteerism measurement and statistics.
• Experience in accessing large databanks and working with large quantitative datasets.
• Knowledge of volunteerism for peace and development with its diverse manifestations and cultural settings.
• Previous work experience in the global South is an asset.
Applicants have to provide a technical and financial proposal.
The technical proposal shall describe the methodology and the approach how to fulfill the required deliverables as well as outline the major components of its implementation.
The financial proposal shall consist of all-inclusive lump sum for the whole duration of the contract period, which shall include the consultancy fee, costs of living, costs for insurance, and cost of travel to and from the duty station. The financial proposal shall contain a breakdown of these costs and indicate the number of off-days the consultant wants to take during the contract period (if any).
The lump sum/contract price is fixed regardless of subsequent changes in the cost components.
Criteria for Selection of the Best offer:
The selection of the best offer will be based on the combined scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted – 70% , and combined with the price offer which will be weighted 30%.
Key selection criteria are:
• Strength of the methodology and approach outlined to fulfil the deliverables (30%)
• Track record of published research on global volunteerism statistics and measurement (25%)
• Proven understanding of volunteering considerations globally, including in conflict contexts and the global South (15%)
• Financial Proposal (30%)
Qualified candidates must apply online via the UNDP Job Website. Interested candidates are advised to carefully review this ToR and ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described above. Applications should contain: A brief cover letter, a short summary of relevant qualifications and a technical proposal. Please paste the letter and technical proposal into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. A current completed and signed P11 form/ UN Personal History Form in English. Blank form can be downloaded from www.sas.undp.org/documents/p11_personal_history_form.doc. Please also include your CV and contact details for 3 references we can contact.
Please make sure you provide all requested materials. Incomplete applications will not be considered. All documents should be scanned and attached in one pdf format document.
Your financial proposal should be included in the Confirmation of Interest (COI) template and sent in a separate e-mail to : procurement@unv.org clearly marking the job title in the subject line. The template can be downloaded at the following link:
https://www.unv.org/basic-page/procurement-information
Companies can also apply. Should consultants apply as a team, they must apply as one legal entity.
We look forward to receiving your proposal.